Richards Role In Unveiling Ceremony

John Richards and Gordon Taylor, fellow Lancastrians who became regular opponents in Wolves-Birmingham clashes, are to join forces next month in honour of Stan Cullis.

The two men are to attend a ceremony in memory of Molineux’s most successful all-time boss in his birthplace, Ellesmere Port.

A plaque is to be unveiled at the Iron Manager’s former school on June 17, with the PFA throwing their support behind the honour.

“The PFA is keen to take the stories of former pupils who became great football stars back into the schools they attended,” said Taylor, the players union’s long-time chief executive. “It will be the third time we have unveiled plaques to legends at the schools they attended.

“In 2018, Harry Gregg and Alex Williams performed the joint ceremony to Frank Swift and Jimmy Armfield at Revoe School, Blackpool. And, in 2019, Brian Kidd and John Aston Jnr did the honours for John Aston Snr at Ravensbury Community School, Manchester. They were both great events in which pupils played major roles.”

Wolves Heroes have made a small congtribution to the forthcoming occasion by contacting Cullis’s son, Andrew, to tell him of a tribute which he will also be attending.

Also on the guest list are Wolves director John Gough and the Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Lisa Denson, the Merseyside town having spawned Joe Mercer, Graham Turner and Doug Ellis as well.

Cullis’s education began at Cambridge Road Primary School, whose head teacher Darryl Pickering said: “We are delighted to play a small part in honouring a former pupil. Some of the children will assist with the unveiling and are working on a series of arts projects associated with Stan Cullis and these will be on display on the day and permanently thereafter. 

“Thanks to some local sponsorship, we are also buying a trophy and intend organising a local annual Stan Cullis football tournament. He was an outstanding professional and a credit to Cambridge Road Primary School and Ellesmere Port.” 

Wolves Heroes co-owner Richards, who is from just down the road in Warrington, said: “Stan created a team that was the most successful in the club’s history. He was idolised in Wolverhampton – and quite rightly so. Not only did Wolves win three League titles and two FA Cups, he also created a team which could compete at the highest level with the European giants such as Honved, Moscow Dynamo and Real Madrid. 

“His teams set the standard. Our 1970s side, and every other one since, is compared to and measured against the successes of the Stan Cullis era. He set a high bar which no other team or manager has come close to reaching. His accolade as Wolves’ greatest ever manager is richly deserved. “

The Reverend Andrew Cullis added: “I was delighted when I heard that the school where my dad was a pupil was planning to put up a plaque in his memory.  Some years ago, I saw the house where he lived and it will be very special to visit the area again and see his old school – and enjoy such a wonderful occasion.”

Later this year, a plaque to Joe Mercer will be unveiled at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall.